I am a sucker for a Disney villainess! In fact, The Little Mermaid's Ursula and Sleeping Beauty's Maleficent made such an impression on me that, even as a child, I felt aggrieved when they met their untimely (and unfair) demises. I was especially annoyed with Ariel! She was the one who started the chain of events that *SPOILER* led to Ursula being popped like a giant cecaelia shaped balloon. That's manslaughter, man!
*Takes a few moments to recess life*
Anywho, why the Disney talk? Well there's a Diva connection to be had. Disney have decided the kick-ass Maleficient needs a back story, and have deemed that tale worthy of a live action film. Playing the demon fairy is the perfectly cast, and Oscar-winning, Angelina Jolie. Similarly perfect was the choice to ask Lana Del Rey to redo the animated film's dreamy theme song, Once Upon a Dream.
The original version of the song was one imbued with child-like romance, as the Princess Aurora wistfully sang about encountering a true love in a dream. Lana's version retains the childlike lyrics, but ages them up with a melancholy vocal delivery and a darker production. Thus the overall feel of the song shifts from idealised dream territory right onto the border of nightmare town. It doesn't quite end up stepping into the town, but it twerks along that line pretty finely.
I could envisage this being the way Aurora would sing the song if she'd reached her adult life without meeting her prince charming. Slightly weary and jaded, but still with a tinge of hope that one day she would meet that special someone. Perhaps it's how I should be singing it....
Thoughts?
'...but it twerks along that line pretty finely.' LOL!
ReplyDeleteI have spammed this video on your site twice now since yesterday. I knew I could count on you to make a post about it. :D
I must have heard this about 20 times now. I just can't get it out of my head. This is beautiful, haunting, eerie and EXTREMELY atmospheric music. Perfectly suited for a movie themed as such as Maleficent. 0.20 - 0.25 was enough for me to sell this song.
When I saw the trailer, at first I thought it was Angelina Jolie herself speaking/singing in background. The similarity is almost uncanny. This was a match made in heaven. And is it true that Angelina herself recommended Lana's name for this song?
Anyhoo, can somebody please quickly tell what is the lowest note in the song? I have never heard Lana's low notes sound so gorgeous before.
This is just superb. i have to say that im not a huge fan of Lana but this just gave me chills all over my body. This girl is so good at putting interpretation and emotion in her work!!!
ReplyDeleteOnce question arise here: When will your faves? I think the answer is never. But in all seriousness I'm really hypnotised by the song. Lana always finds ways to surprise :P.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how, but this woman sings in a somewhat monotone voice yet does this lol. I've been listening to Lana a lot more, and even though I don't agree with her style, I love her studio voice quality. The cover is moving and actually portrays a story -- Disney's is magic and rainbows and typical...but, there is nothing against that; they need to appeal to their younger audience.
ReplyDeleteBUT -- I feel like this is what the song was meant to sound like.
Thanks to this website, I have been addicted to Miss Lana Del Ray. I just want to say, thank you! As for the movie and song, I CANNOT WAIT!
ReplyDeleteI like Lana's rendition of the song. Its slower and darker. Its nice. On a side note out of all of the princesses Aurora's voice has got to be the most beautiful and operatic.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_8ZZ7jo6dw
The Melancholoy Queen has been chosen to nearly headline two major films with either her own work or a complete overhaul of another.
ReplyDeleteShe's not a good vocalst. She knows this. She's a vocal artist, insofar as she knows exactly what to do with her voice to get the atmosphere there.
Half of this board can probably "outsing" her but music is largely about creativity and mood, as well.
She's done a magnificent job of making 40s/50s stylings current.
I will enjoy her languid Nancy Sinatra on Xanax far more than many because of her creative musical nuances.
Here for her giving me up some Clockwork Urngggeee tea too
I have to say I prefer her on songs like this, she has much more character in her delivery and I like hearing her sing the higher notes - http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a7WGLuNUV8o#
ReplyDeleteI adore this version by Lana, it's just perfect. For me it is as if being sung from the perspective of Maleficent, it is a dark lullaby.
ReplyDeleteShe's not a bad vocalist, I mean, sure, she has her pitch problems live, but I've heard some performances of her that are rather good. And she always sing the D6 in "Cola" live. I think her main issue is nerves and perhaps an underdeveloped musical ear, but her voice is special, it is both light and low but with an extended top. It's kind of rare to have that vocal color and tessitura but sweet and delicate and with a soprano extension.
ReplyDeleteName an actual "soul queen" that screams and strains like Christina does.
ReplyDeleteAretha? Patti? Gladys? Natalie? Chaka? Nope.
I know this is off topic but this is HILARIOUS! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNr0oW-1xo0#t=22
ReplyDeleteLOL! This is definitely true! So many disney princess express an impressive upper belting range along with proficiency in the fifth octave. I have yet to see one with a nice lower range. I would love to hear a princess sing a song the way Lana did; I'm sure that would bring major culture shock to all the girls sitting in the front row watching the movie.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, if that girl really is an alto, then she did the song justice lol.
Other than Elsa I don't remember any other Disney heroine with a belting range. Most of them use a more "legit" technique, for example, Mulan goes up to F5 in "Reflection" in a mixed head tone while Aurora goes up to C6 in soprano.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's what I meant. More of a classical style of singing. Colors of the Wind seems to high for an alto -- sounds more like a higher mezzo. I mean, Pocahontas sits on the upper fourth for the majority of the song and even phrases in the fifth.
ReplyDeleteThe last belt in let it go is an E5 if I'm not mistaken. The chorus and the bridge are really the only sections of the song that are high for the average alto. Either way, can mistake the fact the Disney pretty much SPITS out soprano princesses with classical technique.
I want something edgier.
Well, the belting of Elsa is pretty edgy, I think. "Let it go" has exactly 8 Eb5's :P most of them are not held, only the one at the end. I recently did a Spanish version of it and studied the sheet music :D
ReplyDeleteThe range in "Colors of the wind" is F3-C5, but Pocahontas does go up to E5 or F5 in the vocalizations of "Listen to your heart" and in a song from "Pocahontas II". I'm a big Disney fan :P
Anyway, I start considering songs "soprano" territory when they go above F#5 or G5, LOL, as that is the soprano passaggio.
What would you say are your THREE favorite Disney songs/movies? :D
ReplyDeleteI think that's why it was so popular. It was different and realistic. Edgy and powerful and had a theatrical ting to it.
ReplyDeleteOnce a singer starts phrasing above a D5, I consider that a song suited for a soprano. F3 - F5 is still the mezzo tessitura, right? An alto would stay in the lower fifth octave if anything when it came to chestier mixes and belts. I think the only other Disney performance that was pretty raw was "Mother Knows Best" in Tangled. Now that was pretty spectacular.
LOL, I'm a Disney fan. Their scores for music are magnificent and very nostalgic.
Favorite Movies: "Sleeping Beauty", "The little mermaid", "Mulan". Though I love all of them, even the non musical ones such as Atlantis and Treasure Planet.
ReplyDeleteFavorite songs: "Let it go", "Go the distance", "A whole new world".
I recently bought the Deluxe of "Frozen" so I get the instrumental of "Let it go" in full CD quality, and the rest of the orchestral instrumentals are majestic. Also I bought the soundtrack of "Pocahontas" that I found for 99 cents at Movie Exchange, and I've listened to it often as I go to bed :P
ReplyDeleteAnd I would say F3-F5 is contralto / low mezzo-soprano range. And a mezzo-soprano tessitura would be Bb3-Eb5 (to be safe). Contralto tessitura would be G3-C5 and Soprano tessitura would be Eb3-G5. Of course, depending on the subdivision within the fachs it can vary some semitones. For example, a lyric soprano might have a tessitura F#4-A5 while a spinto might be more E3-G5 and a dramatic might be more D4-F5.
ReplyDeleteLoved the song, and I still can't get enough of Lana. Suuuuper stoked for her upcoming album Ultra-Violence.
ReplyDeleteBorrowing a pic from Mel R a few months ago,
All hail the Dalai Lana
Oh my god that was priceless hahaha
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woP1GRsvfjg#t=21
ReplyDeleteSmooth low notes, and a nice last high note :)
Lovely!
ReplyDeleteSleeping Beauty? I really can't seem to find the thrill in it. Aurora's personality seems as deep as a puddle. Do you mind telling me why that's one of your fav disney movies?
ReplyDeleteAnd still not very high, the highest was C5, I think. The actress who lend her voice to the character has actually sung a mixed belt C6 :)
ReplyDeleteI quite like that song though, it was a different style for Disney.
Lana Del Rey is the only one imo who can pull off covering a Disney princess song. Any other pop star who would try that would fail miserably...
ReplyDeleteBarbra sang "Someday my prince will come" quite beautifully. And Faith Hill did a fine rendition of "Part of your world".
ReplyDeleteI think the art of it is simply gorgeous, I mainly love it because of the art and the music. One cannot beat classic medieval inspired art and Tchaikovsky. I also worship Maleficent, I was a male Maleficent for Halloween last year :P I will too this year!
ReplyDeleteRecent* pop stars I meant :)
ReplyDeleteOh okay, well I thought you especially liked it because of the plot or the personalities and what not. But on the graphics and instrumentations I agree, plus Aurora landed the finest prince out of Walt's original three (not sorry). Oh and Maleficent is nice and all, really, but no one can beat Ursula's sass... http://25.media.tumblr.com/1c1039b97e7648a24b12b07825daa24f/tumblr_ml3u753OwJ1sng5syo1_500.gif
ReplyDeleteYeah, not the highest, but still a high note. And a good one :)
ReplyDeleteI liked that song to, like you said. It was a little different from the usual girly disneysongs.
Beautiful high notes in this one. Her F5s remind me of how Demi would and SHOULD sound if she were to sing properly in the upper register.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhFBuMn80x0
Oh dear Lord, the SEQUELS
ReplyDeleteI love that rendition
ReplyDeleteUm Christina can sing circles around Lana. Ms Aguilera has a raw gritty voice on top of a rich tone. Google back to basics.
ReplyDeleteAmen! Preach it sista!
ReplyDeleteChrissy is a chameleon with her voice. Lana has character but lacks the rawness and passion in her live performances.
ReplyDeleteShe's actually a contralto...
ReplyDeleteAre you kiding? She is the most arrogant fake artist. she had no resonance, what so ever
ReplyDeleteIs Nightmare Before Christmas a Dinsey movie? Because if it is (I'm not 100% sure) then Amy Lee did an amazing version of Sally's song.
ReplyDeleteYeah I just realised after posting that it appears in Kingdom Hearts, so it had to be a Disney movie.
ReplyDeleteThat was amazing.
ReplyDeleteAs far story goes I loved "Frozen", "Treasure Planet", "Atlantis", "Aladdin", "Mulan", "Pocahontas" (just based on story, 2 even more than 1), "Hercules", etc. Based on overall good times I love "Beauty and the beast" and "Lion King" :P
ReplyDeleteI tend to like the villians more :P I have classic dolls of Maleficent and the Evil Queen :D I can't help it, I love my bad bitches. I was stanning for Fiona Goode to murder all the girls and remain the Supreme, LOL.
"The Prince of Egypt" will forever be my most beloved Animated film of all-time. This film, along with "The Lion King", had one of the most astounding, overall, soundtracks of any Animated film in history. In spite of it's commercial success, many people tend to overlook this film because of it's "Religious- base" but it's Art was, and still is, mesmerizing.
ReplyDeleteWhitney Houston & Mariah Carey's 'ICONIC' performance of "When You Believe" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAM2-hg7xJs
Boyz 2 Men: "I Will Get There" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY5QgpgrJP0
The score and film itself was unforgettable. Whitney and Mariah dominated this song together. Another great movie was Lilo and Stitch. Particularly this song -- Disney dove into the Hawaiian culture and pulled out a very nice, and different, song.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YinkbnaBgIk
You forgot this one ;-)
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdVYEY-wdvU
Atheist as I am, I still agree it would be silly to let the religious base of something stop one from enjoying the art of it. :-)
ReplyDeleteCan't say I've heard this one before lol, but it being Alison Krauss I knew you would like it. I'm starting to like her voice a bit more -- has a nice and serene ting to it. I'm usually not down for slower and lyrical ballads but she did do the song justice.
ReplyDeleteAll in all though, I still prefer my Hans Zimmer and Ofra Haza lol, sorry Opie!
Yes. This film's score was absolutely incredible; the melodies & harmonies of every song was, absolutely, beautiful - "Through Heaven's Eyes & Deliver Us" are such powerful songs.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to "When You Believe" - Stephen Schwartz Babyface wrote an absolute splendour; it's such an inspiring piece and I still tend to listen to it whenever I feel hopeless and so on. Also, yes, Stephen Schwartz & Hanz Zimmer won the "Oscar" whilst Babyface won a "Grammy" for the songs 'Pop' version.
Exactly. Very true, indeed... :-)
ReplyDeleteLove every single one of them but didn't watch the Cinderella sequels, consider watching them somewhen, because the song Sasuke posted a little below, is amazing...
ReplyDeleteAs far as the villains go, let's not forget Cruella DeVille!
the queen.
ReplyDeletehttp://laughmoreabundant.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/ursula-little-mermaid-disney-villains-1024509_720_480.jpg
LOL I wasn't into that kind of ballad much twenty years ago either. And I still can't decide whether I prefer her singing or her fiddle playing. Because the fiddle playing has a lot of "oomph". (people said she "played like a man" when she was young)
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6kFcMh_YnI
As for Ofra..LOVE her!
This, again in spite of it's religious lyrics, is one of my favorites. Gorgeous tone!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNORpY9uxPw
Cinderella II sucks major ass
ReplyDeleteBut Cinderella III is pretty good. It's about what would have happened if Cinderella didn't have magic to help her, so she is forced to take a more proactive role and ensure her happy ending without the help of magic to make it happen.
Demi's was beyond awful, the vocal production wasn't good and her voice was over processed by whoever mixed it.
ReplyDeleteI don't dislike Christina's version of "Reflection", but there are other versions I find more compelling, such the Spanish version by Lucero who truly sounds effortless and yet conveys the feeling of wanting to express who you really are. Also, the Chinese version by Coco Lee is good.
The problem with most pop versions of Disney princess songs is that they do them too poppy and kiddie, they completely lose the magic that the more traditional broadway sound gives it. For example Emily Osment's or No Secret's versions of "Once upon a dream", they are absolutely disgusting, I can't even. No magic whatsoever.
Omg yes finally ! what bothered me the most about Walt's original three was their criminally passive behaviour. Beautiful damsels, who would get what they want just by sitting around and looking pretty. But that's me being hypocritical and that's kind of pointless regarding early Disney movies...
ReplyDeleteYup. Cinderalla 2, which sucked. I honestly wasn't watching it. I guess you can say I inadvertantly watched it, if that makes sense lol I was texting in the living room & my nephew was watching it on Disney so I occasionally peeked here and there. It was just awful. Then I heard THIS voice and was marveled because her timbre is so beautiful and those high notes were reminiscent of the old Demi. But yes, it's a Disney movie, a sucky one.
ReplyDeleteI've no idea who's singing, but she's got a nice voice.
ReplyDeleteBrooke Allison (looked at the comments on the video).
ReplyDeleteLol I guess Disney didn't think it was too bad if they made a #3. I love her voice, good lord. Her belts are killer, especially within the last 30 seconds when she phrases in the fifth octave. Cinderella was too cliche for me so I stayed away from it lol but I know the feeling of having to watch siblings. Brother seems to love watching Madagascar, and I'm always forced to watch with him.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, I've always known of Cinderalla but never really watched it. Just a few months ago was the 1st time I actually sat down and watched the movie for the 1st time. I actually somewhat liked the 1st one. Night and Gale and so beautiful. The follow ups? Ehhh, yah no thanks haha. And yes, it's annoying. My nephew absolutely LOVES the Clevland show and I personally can't stand it. Whenever I come home he's watching it and I just hear that stupid theme song lol
ReplyDeleteCinderella III is good though, it's like...what if Cinderella didn't have magic to help her the first time around? So she has to take a more proactive role and ensure her happily ever after.
ReplyDeleteUnless she was born with some issue in her vocal cords, she does not have a "raw gritty voice". She has an UNEDUCATED voice, which is entirely different. Someone can sing in a "gritty" way and still use a safe technique and be a great musician. For example Mina (who was at home in power ballads, virtuosic jazz scat and rough rock and roll) or Janis Joplin (who could belt out B5).
ReplyDelete...finoa apple's rendition of Sally's song I feel is way more fitting >.>
ReplyDeleteoops Fiona*
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZpyjEABaFs
ReplyDeleteDepending on what is your judgement standar. If it is "which version fits more the character and the story line in the movie" I think neither of them surpases the original, because it was sung in an innocent way that fit perfectly with Sally's character, but when it comes to judging the song by itself, I think both are greater than the original.
ReplyDeletethe mandarin version was beautiful !
ReplyDelete"they do them too poppy and kiddie, they completely lose the magic that the more traditional broadway sound gives it" <this !
I love how the birds try to imitate her vocal run but totally fail it haha
ReplyDeleteAgain, I say it, "I don't like you!" There is clearly a reason that critics have dubbed Christina "The Voice of a Generation". And I didn't bring Christina's name up to ignite a completely separate discussion on here, I named her merely as a point of reference for, as Danity said, being "a chameleon". So, since apparently I can't name another diva as a point of reference without getting others off topic, allow me to end what I started unintentionally. THIS PAGE IS ABOUT LANA DEL REY, I APOLOGIZE FOR EVEN MENTIONING CHRISTINA, SO WITH THAT "END OF CHRISTINA DISCUSSION"!
ReplyDeleteIt was Timberlake who called her that and then her team saw it was a good opportunity and went along hyping her up with that title as much as they could.
ReplyDeleteImho Amy Lee sang Sally's song the very best. Her voice is mellow and melodic, made to sing about tragic stories. Gosh how I adore her lol
ReplyDeleteWell, as I said, if we judge the song by itself Amy IMO wins by far, her voice was made for instrumentation like this, and the melancholic lyrics fit her too. However, if we judge which version fits the movie better, I think the original one is unsurpased. Whoever sang it did it with such a pure and innocent vibe that fit perfectly with Sally's character.
ReplyDeleteIt's grown on me a little more than at first. It took time, but I kinda like it now.
ReplyDeleteFiona's songwriting talent alone puts all of today's artists to shame, not to mention her gorgeous unique low voice!
ReplyDeleteThe 1950 Cinderella is voiced and sung by Ilene Woods
ReplyDeleteIt all has to do with finding yourself. She's getting better at how she wants to present herself live and how she thinks she should sing. When she first started, since she was new, she probably wasn't used to having all these big crowds but the more you do it, the more natural it becomes and it's easier to sing and sound more like you're not trying the more live performances you do.
ReplyDeleteI can't identify my voice type?! My vocal range is E2-E7. My low register is E2-G3, my chest register is from B4-C6, my falsetto/head voice G5-E6 my whistle register is from F6-E7. Me and Charice has almost the same singing voice yet mine is a little bit lighter. I have no problems or Vocal Negatives from my Vocal Coach I didn't have the idea to ask my vocal coach my Voice Type right now she went to Malaysia for Vacation! Please help me what's my Voice Type and How many octave range I sing? By the way I can't reach high notes easily I don't strain my voice. I don't know how can I reach it easily without a strain and pushing my body to reach it. I don't know what technique my vocal coach taught me. I wanna ask her yet Can anyone please tell me what is this technique or ability called that "I can reach high notes easily w/o a strain"
ReplyDeleteThe girl in the video wasn't even a contralto, though, yet she claimed to be one. She tried blaming her technical deficiencies on the actual song LOL.
ReplyDelete